Te Papa provides wonderful learning opportunities for visitors of all ages and interests. Here are some of the highlights from our education programmes, events, exhibitions, and tours.
The Colossal Squid
The female colossal squid is the largest invertebrate ever discovered on this planet. Weighing in at 495kg, it is a sight for sore eyes! At 4.2 metres long it holds the record for the world’s largest eye measuring 27cm in diameter.
Discovered by the New Zealand fishing vessel, the San Aspiring, in the Ross Sea in 2007 the colossal squid was gifted to Te Papa by the Ministry of Fisheries. Stored for a year in a freezer at Te Papa’s Tory St facility, it was defrosted in April 2008 and examined by a team of international scientists.
Two education programmes can be booked that include viewing and learning about the colossal squid:
Environmental Education - Our Oceans (Science)
Years 0−10, Levels 1 - 6
Tumeke Te Papa – Introducing Te Papa
Years 0−13, Levels 1 – 8
Self-guided visits to see the colossal squid are supported by an online resource for teachers.
All education visits to see the colossal squid must be booked to ensure we have space for you. To book, please contact our Education Coordinator. Ph (04) 381 7087 or email reservations@tepapa.govt.nz
Our Space is a spectacular new multimedia and interactive experience. Visit www.ourspace.tepapa.com to contribute images and clips and become part of the Our Space community. There are three parts to Our Space: The Map, The Wall and the simulator rides...
The Map
The floor is alive with your footsteps! As you walk over the map of New Zealand you will trigger sensors that project a variety of images onto large display screens. Step onto Wellington and a giant beehive will appear; step onto the Central Plateau and see volcanoes erupting! Great for learning about New Zealand culture, identity and geography.
The Wall
A collective and creative space about who we are and what we do. Touch-screens provide access to thousands of digital records from a range of sources including TVNZ archives, Te Papa's collections, and the Our Space community. Display your chosen images on the 18 metre long wall as a mural, visual story or VJ composition.
Simulator Rides
The Deep
A real life scientific adventure ride! Join the hunt for deep-sea black smokers and erupting volcanoes from the safety of our deep-sea vehicle simulator.
The High Ride
Imagine the most exciting clips from The Wall. The thrill of extreme sports. The nostalgia of trundling over cattlestops, sliding down grassy hills. Clips that go all around and under New Zealand. Now imagine that you enter The Wall and live these scenes first-hand - that's the High Ride!
Education Programmes in Our Space
Two education programmes are delivered utilising Our Space.
'Disasters' students will walk on The Map and trigger natural disasters that have occurred in New Zealand, they will investigate specific events and be able to manipulate the images they find to present back to the class.
Years 4-10:Social Studies.
'Papatūānuku' students will discover the geological forces that have shaped the country and be able to check out fault lines, volcanoes and the scarring that earthquakes have left upon the land.
Years 3-10:Science.
Our Space can be used in a variety of ways by you and your students. Bookings are essential so we can ensure that there is space for your group. Admission charges apply to the rides only.
Opens 14 February 2009
The TOWER Gallery, Level 4
This is a rare chance to see some of the world’s most famous and best-loved Impressionist paintings, including Claude Monet's Water Lilies, Haystacks, and Meadow with Poplars. Around 30 works by Monet will be displayed alongside Impressionist masterpieces by Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Sisley, Cézanne, and others.
Te Papa is the only New Zealand venue for Monet and the Impressionists.
This exhibition is jointly organised by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, home to one of the world's leading collections of Impressionist art, and the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Education programmes and online resources to complement this exhibition are available. Programmes are tailored for years1-8 and years 9-13 (NCEA level 1.1, 2.1, 3.1).
Admission charges apply for both self-guided and educator led visits. We offer educator led tours in the mornings, self-guided visits must be booked in the afternoon only. Bookings are essential. Please contact our Education Coordinator to book. reservations@tepapa.govt.nz or call (04) 381 7087
Monet Teacher Viewings
Meadow with Poplars c.1875, Claude Monet. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: bequest of David P. Kimball in memory of his wife Clara Bertram Kimball. Photograph © MFA, Boston.
Thursday 19 February
4pm - 6pm
This viewing is now FULL
Due to popular demand we are running a second teacher viewing date:
Saturday 21 February
9am - 11am
Spaces are available
Join the Te Papa Education | Te Ipu Kāhuirangi team to find out more about the exciting Monet education programme and online resources.
Listen to a special presentation by Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, Te Papa's Director of Art and Collection Services, about how to view Impressionist art works.
Enjoy our hospitality and take the time to view the exhibition.
Free entry for all teachers.
RSVP for the viewing session on 21 February, by 6 February to reservations@tepapa.govt.nz or call (04) 381 7087
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